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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Scared its melanoma
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
Scared its melanoma
by uk_lady, Jul 11, 2008 03:25AM
In April I noticed a mole I had on the top of my arm for some years was slightly flaky - these changes happened very fast (within a few days) as I check my skin regularly as I am very paranoid about skin cancer. The same day the mole started to bleed and scabbed up (although I may have contributed to some of it by rubbing at it slightly to try to see what was causing the flakiness) . The mole healed and returned to nornal looking within two weeks.
I visited my family doctor and told her the mole had been bleeding and she examined it very thoroughly through a magnifer and said it was OK.
However I recently met two people whos only symptom of melanoma was a bleeding mole and they urged me to get it removed - even though previously I had been fine with my docs decisions.
All this happened three months ago and there has been no visible change in the mole (that I can tell anyway) since it healed - it isnt getting any bigger or changing colour in any obvious way.
The mole in question doesnt have any of the ABCDs of melanoma, it is about 3mm round, pretty evenly coloured, reasonable borders. If you look at it in a certain way it does appear some of the pigment is missing in the middle but I have what appears to be Keratosis pilaris on my arms anyway so it may just be that or a hair follicle.
I dont qualify for a free removal in the country where I live - I would have to pay privately. In your respected opinion is this mole dangerous and should I get it removed or could this thing be down to trauma? At the moment I am so scared I am shaking thinking leaving it for the three months could be too late.
Please any advice or reassurance would be great - I even took a photo of the mole - sorry the quality isnt that great
http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n363/Pam712/Photo-0044.jpg
I visited my family doctor and told her the mole had been bleeding and she examined it very thoroughly through a magnifer and said it was OK.
However I recently met two people whos only symptom of melanoma was a bleeding mole and they urged me to get it removed - even though previously I had been fine with my docs decisions.
All this happened three months ago and there has been no visible change in the mole (that I can tell anyway) since it healed - it isnt getting any bigger or changing colour in any obvious way.
The mole in question doesnt have any of the ABCDs of melanoma, it is about 3mm round, pretty evenly coloured, reasonable borders. If you look at it in a certain way it does appear some of the pigment is missing in the middle but I have what appears to be Keratosis pilaris on my arms anyway so it may just be that or a hair follicle.
I dont qualify for a free removal in the country where I live - I would have to pay privately. In your respected opinion is this mole dangerous and should I get it removed or could this thing be down to trauma? At the moment I am so scared I am shaking thinking leaving it for the three months could be too late.
Please any advice or reassurance would be great - I even took a photo of the mole - sorry the quality isnt that great
http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n363/Pam712/Photo-0044.jpg
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Jul 11, 2008 03:28PM
, Jul 11, 2008 03:28PM
To: uk_lady
The most common cause of bleeding in a mole is irritation, not transformation into melanoma. Your description matches what one would expect with irritation, not cancerous change. Your photo does not look suspicious. Your doctor saw it and was not concerned. All these things point to a recommendation to just leave it alone.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
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